La Mesa Jr. High School

The Forerunners Team Information Letter

Dear Parents & Guardians,

We are pleased that your student has been assigned to The Forerunners team this year.  We welcome both returning 8th graders and incoming 7th graders.  The purpose of this letter is to help acquaint you with our team discipline plan, reward system, and grading scale.  This letter will also describe our academic and behavioral expectations of students.

Please review the following information with your child, and sign the last page.  All students must return this to their teacher by _______________________________.

Classroom Rules

1.  Respect yourself and others in your actions and words (use appropriate language and gestures, keep hands, feet, and objects to self).

2.  Follow directions and when in doubt ask for clarification.

3.  Raise your hand for permission to speak or to leave your desk.

4.  Be ready to work at the beginning of the period.  Be responsible for all assigned tasks.

5.  Gum, food, and beverages are not permitted in the classroom.  (Water is okay).

ALL SCHOOL RULES APPLY IN THE CLASSROOM.

Discipline Plan

Consequences:

1st           Verbal warning with redirection

2nd          Minutes owed at lunch or brunch for lost instruction time

3rd           Period suspension (Opportunity Room) & parent contact 

4th           Referral to administration

Incentives/Rewards

1.  Verbal praise & recognition

2.  Positive notes or phone calls home

3.  Participation in class & team rewards (i.e., pizza, movie, good choice coupons)

4.  Participation in field trips

Tardies

Students are to be seated and ready for work before the bell rings.  Failure to do so without a legitimate reason (note from administrator or office personnel) will result in an unexcused tardy.

              1st Tardy: Warning and reminder of the rules

              2nd Tardy:  Lunch or brunch detention and reminder of the rules

              3rd  Tardy: Parent contact and lunch or brunch detention

              4th  Tardy: Parent contact and lunch or brunch detention

              5th  Tardy: Referral to administrator and Saturday School

Materials Needed Every Day

1.   Three ring binder with 6 tab dividers (one for each subject), or 6 pocket accordion file

2.   BINDER REMINDER ($5 to replace if lost)

3.   Ink Pens (black or blue) and pencils

4.   Highlighter

5.   Fine point dry erase marker

6.   Composition book

7.   Two spirals

8.   Notebook paper

Grading/Homework

A           90%

B            80%

C           70%

D           60%

F            Below 60%

Students' grades are based on homework, class work, tests, quizzes, labs, projects, and participation.  Late work will be accepted, but full credit may not be given.  Incomplete or missing homework will result in a lower grade.  Students who are absent from class are responsible for completing missed assignments.  They will have as many days to complete an assignment as they were absent.  Students’ progress will be posted throughout the quarter, and you will receive progress reports five weeks into each grading period.

Extra Help

Students are free to contact teachers for additional help with any class assignments.  We are happy to meet with students before or after school by arrangement.  We are looking forward to teaching your child this year and welcome your partnership to help achieve the greatest success possible!  Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Forerunner Teachers

LA MESA Jr. HIGH

Please complete the following and return to ________, room___ by___________.

I have read the Forerunners team letter and understand what is expected of my child this year.

_______________________________________________________________________

(parent signature)                                                      (student signature)                  (date)

This section is to be completed by a parent or guardian

Mother’s Name : _______________________________________

                                                                                    Work phone number:_________________

                                                                                    Home Phone number: ________________

                                                                                    Cell Phone number:__________________

                                                                                    Email address: ______________________

Father’s Name : _______________________________________

                                                                                    Work phone number:_________________

                                                                                    Home Phone number: ________________

                                                                                    Cell Phone number:__________________

                                                                                    Email address: ______________________

Please tell us the best way to communicate with you: Home number, Work number, or email. _______________________________________________________________

Please list two bits of information about your child that you would like us to know.

Example: My daughter loves soccer.

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________